Milwaukee Bucks: 3 Adjustments to Win Game Four

Giannis’ Usage and Style of Play

See this picture above? This is Giannis turning the ball over to the Nets. As far as I’m concerned, he had 12 turnovers – five that were counted as such and seven that were labeled as missed three-point attempts. You know what? It’s too hideous; don’t even look at the picture anymore.

In a tight playoff game where the Milwaukee Bucks were essentially fighting for their lives, Giannis willingly threw away seven possessions, including two in the fourth quarter. That can’t happen, and whether it has to be coaches, teammates, or a random stadium employee, someone has to tell him to stop.

He’s one of the best paint scorers that this league has seen in the 21st century, and he was 13/24 inside the arc, so there’s no reason for him to be backing up and settling for deep looks. Blake Griffin is not quick enough to consistently guard him, and Nick Claxton doesn’t have the muscle to keep him from getting to the rim, so he needs to be attacking constantly.

The other point here that needs to be addressed is why he’s the primary ball-handler so often, giving him the option to attempt these looks. When he’s used as the roll man with Jrue Holiday or Khris Middleton as the ball handler, it gets him some extra space with the defense having to focus on the ball, and it got him some great easy shots around the basket. He’s also great as a cutter or in the paint as an off-ball player. His second dunk of the game that put the Bucks up 9-0 was the result of great ball movement with him off the ball and a great cut into the paint. If you can get the defense to shift their attention away from the Greek Freak for even a second, that’s enough for him to make them pay. That should be the goal of their offensive scheme, not just giving him the ball and hoping for the best.

So what do you think of these three adjustments? Are there any others you would make? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @DairylandXpress.